Labour Court disallows Aer Lingus worker’s equality appeal

The Labour Court disallowed Kevin O’Beirne’s appeal over his complaint under the Employment Equality Acts, finding it was brought outside the time limit and statute barred. The determination was dated 31 January 2023; the merits were not decided. O’Beirne had appealed an adjudication officer’s decision that there was no jurisdiction to hear the complaint. Aer Lingus argued the claim was out of time and that a compromise agreement waived employment-related claims. O’Beirne said he felt conned into signing because he believed the voluntary severance terms would be withdrawn. He accepted that he had signed a full and final settlement after receiving independent legal advice.